THREE BURNED to Death in Car Smash

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 2, 18 January 1937, Page 5

THREE BURNED to Death in Car Smash

—Press "Assoetfttien.V

CAPSIZE ON SLOPE Would-be Rescuers Unable to Approach Blaze OWHANGO TRAGEDY

(By Telegraph-

TAUMARUNUI, Jan. 17^ A tragedy resulting in the loss of three lives occurred at labout 9.30 o'clock on Saturday night on the main highway four miles north of Owango, which is fourteen nalles south of Taumarunui* A two-dcwr sedan car, owned and driven Jby Mr* Roy Bishop, was niturnmg from Taumarunui io Owhango. After rounding a bend the carlapparently swerved to the wroog side of the road, struck 6 low bank, ran along it some twenty vr thirty yards, and capsized, with the wheels in the air, abqnt twenty feet down the slope from the roa^ where it burst into flames. The occupants were burnt to death. , There were no witnesses of the, uscident, but two cars which were fol lowing behind arrived on the ecene spparently 10 minutes after the Accidftnt, ahd fonnd the car blazing. The hekt was so intense that they could do nothing and went to a nearby farm for assistance. Eeturning with the farmer, they saw an arm protruding from the window of the car, whicii was still enveloped in flames and unapproachable. The police at Taumarunui were notified and Sergeant Clist and Oonstables MacLennan and Bruce arrived on the scene at 10.20. The car was still burning, but with ti-tree and water from the nearby farm they eubdued the flames sufficiently to enabie them to make investigations at close qnarters. They found the charred unrecognisabie remains of three men, who were identified this afternoon by three. watehes found at the scene of the aceident. - 1 The reason why the car swerved to the wrong side and capsized is un-. known. According to the drivers of the cars following behind, no othqr cars passed them, either coming to o* going from Taumarunui. The car itself is a total wTeck, burnt from end toj end. Their names were— ■ EOY VICTOR BISHOP, Owango, aged 34, single, employed as a roadman' by the Kaitieke County Council, driver and owner of the car. GERALD FLYNN, farmer, Owango, aged 51, single, a returned soldier. CHAELES WILLIAM FAEEELL, farmer, Owango, aged 46, married, 6 returned soldier with six children.